Television

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Parents of Sexually Assaulted Girl Sue Offender-Demanding He Buy Their House

The parents of a young Lehigh County, Pennsylvania girl who was sexually molested by their neighbor have sued the man in a bid to force him to buy their house, reported The Associated Press.

The child's parents said they don't want to live next to Oliver Beck and "are under duress to move." Their lawsuit, filed in Allentown, said his presence is "ultra-hazardous given the close proximity" of Beck to the victim and their two other daughters.

Beck, 65, pleaded guilty in September 2011 to indecent assault of a child under 13 and was sentenced to three to 23 months in prison. After his release, he moved back to his home near Emmaus, about 55 miles north of Philadelphia.

According to The Associated Press, the suit contends the plaintiff's house is now "virtually unmarketable" because their neighbor is a registered sex offender. They want Beck to buy their house for $350,000, which they say is the fair-market value plus fees and expenses related to moving to a new home.

Beck's lawyer has asked a judge to dismiss that portion of the suit, saying the law does not entitle the plaintiffs to force Beck to buy their home.

The parents and child are also suing Beck for monetary damages related to the assault. Beck's wife and mother, who owns an adjoining property, are named as co-defendants.

About Matt

An analysis of crime and punishment from the perspective of a former prosecutor and current criminal justice practitioner.
The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions or postions of any county, state or federal agency.